“But if you’re going to play the game, you have to give it all you got.” -From the Saga of Tanya the Evil Vol.
4
Rhaenyra had been married the day before.
The bedding ritual, where she and Laenor were stripped of their clothes and hauled to their bedchambers by the feast goers had been amusing.
It had been an even more wonderful night when Ser Harwin Strong had made his appearance.
Laenor had slipped to the join with Ser Joffrey Lonmouth for his own pleasures.
There would be seven days of feasting and then one of the grandest tournaments the realm had seen in some time.
It was a pity it was not just for her wedding.
Her father had thought it a splendid idea to combine his anniversary celebration and Rhaenyra’s wedding feast in one grand fête of unity.
It was emblematic of her father’s inability to perceive just how wretched his wife was.
Rhaenyra loved her father, but more and more she was becoming frustrated with how blind he was to Alicent’s ambitions.
Rhaenyra was the Lady of Dragonstone now, she could move there with Laenor, but there were reasons to stay in King’s Landing.
Among those reasons was her adorable little sister.
She would hate to see Alicent get her claws fully into Elaena without her around.
Elaena joined them for breakfast, taking a seat with Ser Laenor, Ser Harwin, and Ser Joffrey.
The food was well prepared and the conversation was naturally less ribald than their typical ones with the inclusion of her young sister.
Rhaenyra had no complaints; they were all satiated and exhausted from the previous night’s activities.
“Will you be taking part in the tourney in a few days?” Elaena asked.
All three nodded.
Ser Harwin and Ser Laenor would participate in the jousting, while Ser Joffrey intended to join the grand melee.
“Ser Joffrey, I understand you fought alongside my good-brother Laenor in the Stepstones.”
“I did, princess.
Although, for the most part, he fought with Seasmoke raining down fire on our foes.
Him and that beautiful dragon of his saved us all more than once.”
Rhaenyra watched with amusement as Elaena put Joffrey and Laenor to the question about the conflict.
The tactics, the major players in the war, why the commanders chose to do what they did.
Elaena was like a sponge, no doubt after their meal was over, she would be the foremost expert on the Stepstones conflict.
“Speaking of dragons,” Rhaenyra interrupted, having heard enough talk of warfare, “how did it go with father?”
Elaena looked down for a moment.
“Sadly, father said six was still too young.
I did secure a promise that I would be allowed to try when I am seven, assuming my High Valarian is excellent and Viktoriya shows she can obey commands.”
Joffrey titled in his head in surprise.
“You’ve already had your sixth name day?”
“I believe it is; ‘And can you speak the tongue well’, and yes, I can,” she responded in perfect High Valarian.
Rhaenyra chuckled.
“My husband, you’ll soon discover Elaena knows it better than even the Dragonkeepers.”
Ser Harwin swallowed a mouthful of pigeon pie, then asked, “Well then, what of your dragon?
Does it obey your commands.”
“Yes, Viktoriya is responsive.
She often predicts what I will ask of her before I even give the command.
I am very fortunate to have her.”
Ser Joffrey raised a cup, “A toast then, to the next dragonrider!”
Laenor raised his cup and smiled at his lover, prompting the others to do so as well.
Elaena thanked them and the meal proceeded.
Rhaenyra was content.
Harwin Strong was everything she dreamed of in a man.
Her husband had no issues with her dalliances, if she had no issues with his, which she did not.
It had even been amusing to watch the two.
Joffrey was a glib and witty man who was enjoyable company.
When she became Queen, she would ensure places of honor and importance for them all.
…
Alicent wore green to the opening feast.
The dress fit her well, and the weight from her pregnancy had already fallen off.
Sometimes, she wished she would have been given the opportunity to be wooed by the great lords and knights of the realm like Rhaenyra had been during her tour.
Men still looked at Alicent with lust, but none dared to flirt, not when her husband was the King.
Alicent sat next to the King, and her brother Ser Gwayne Hightower sat at her side.
It was a place of honor for a relatively minor noble of standing, but her brother was fresh to King’s Landing and she wished for her family to be honored.
Viserys had agreed that he could be made an officer in the City Watch, and this would be his first major tournament as a knight.
Aemond was with the maidservants and not at the feast.
He was too young, and few would want to listen to an infant’s wails.
Alicent had considered excluding Aegon for similar reasons, but Elaena had agreed to watch over him and Helaena.
Alicent still felt some guilt over her being blamed for what Aegon did, but she had not truly been harmed.
As an unexpected boon, Aegon had been more behaved as of late.
Perhaps a firmer hand had been needed.
Rhaenyra entered the feast in a dress of black and red that drew every eye.
Nephrite and rubies glittered from it, and she wore more wealth upon her than many houses could boast.
Of course, she had to show me up on our joint celebration.
Rhaenyra never could stand not being the center of attention.
Her husband raised a glass and complimented his daughter.
“The next Queen of the Seven Kingdoms!”
Alicent struggled to keep a grimace from her features.
Viserys did not understand what that meant for the children she had borne him.
They would have no future, and he was too blind to see it.
Gwayne whispered to her, “It catches the eye, but it draws it away from her and to itself.
When they look at her, they see wealth.
When they look at you, they see you.”
Alicent’s brother had always known how to cheer her up, and he was right.
The talk was of the dress, not of Rhaenyra.
The feast was lavish, Viserys had spared no expense for this grand celebration.
Mushrooms, kissed with garlic and bathed in butter had a unique taste, but Alicent felt it too rich.
Viserys could not get enough of the Essosi dish and had three more plates served to him personally.
Alicent hoped that at least if he stuffed himself, he would not wish to claim his marital rights tonight.
The thought of his breath after so much garlic and mushrooms began to nauseate her.
Appearances had to be kept and she put on a dutiful smile and raised her glass to the various toasts.
Many a knight boasted that they would win the joust or the melee.
She hoped Gwayne did well, beyond that she hoped those closest to Rhaenyra went down in ignoble defeat.
Ser Laenor, Ser Harwin, Ser Joffrey, and Ser Loreth were all ones she would be cheering against.
Alicent nibbled at the sweetbread and had a helping of the chestnut soup.
She did not enjoy the feeling of overindulging, so she was careful.
Her father had always told her that a lady was expected to keep a good figure, even after childbirth.
It was only in their dotage when a husband’s ardor was useless that one could cease being vigilant.
She spied Laenor feed morsel after morsel to Rhaenyra.
There was no moderation in what she did, just like her father.
She sighed and Viserys glanced at her.
“What is the matter, my love?”
“I am afraid something I have eaten did not agree with me, if you will excuse me.”
He patted her hand with greasy fingers, “Go then, I’ll have a Maester check on you later.”
She kissed him on the cheek and hurried away.